Vacuum breaker



J. J. FILLIUNG VACUUM BREAKER Filed Dec. 16, 1949 INVENTOR. JACQUES" F/LL/U/VG M m ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE Jacques J. Filliung, Chicago; 111., as'eigiier w sleafi Valve com any, Chicago, 111., a; eorporetien bf Illinois Application Decemberlfi, 1949, Serial No. 133,456

9 Claims. 1

The resent invent'ibn is to'nce'fned with Van'- uum breaking devices particularly adaptable for use with water supply systems where there is danger of back-syphtmage Occurring from nonta'mihated plumbing fixtures such a3 water closets, for example. v

The prineipeilbbj'ectb'f the invention is to pro- 'vide a new "and impifovefi' Vacuum breaker and check valve which will hbtleakwhen Water flows through it and jwhi h' will Safely and reliably pr vent back syphbfla'gefrom a plumbin fixture.

'Ahbth'r 'bbj'eet is to 'iif'dv'ide a and imprbve'd vacuum breaker which will pass a high 'rat 'efmw at 16w water" pipes'sures while preven ing leakage, when 'relaitivelyhig'h ba'ck "pressures are present at the outlet end oher'e'c'if.

4 Anijth'er object of the invention is 1:0 pi-(Wide 'a device having a flexible sleeve valve "member which will automatically 'a'ct asfa 'ba'ck check to {simple and 'cempaet iheenspructien end epere 'iaiii ebohbmical to 'meniifacture ahd ea'sy to 1" even, and is highly efireieht nd durable in use. H With the foregbifig and other objects in view, the iiwefition eo'neists in "certain novel features bf OIiStIiiCtiijh, operation 'gni eemeinetien of elemhizs as will be moi'e fu ll'y "pointed out here-- ine-fte'r, *refefe'nee bein'g had to the eeeempeew ing drawings diecl osipg e prefefreii embodiment 'ifjhe invention in which:

Fig. 1 is e fu l hsiz'ed e es=s=se Zo'nal view of the hovel vacuum breaker with the pm-ts in nbimal poei'tion; U v

Fig, 2 is a simuer view eh'o'wir l'g the parts epe'r tea when water flow takes plate;

Fig. 3 is an nlarged Cress-sectional View of a iab'rtibn of the fieviee;

Fig. 4 is top view bf the flexible eiee've mem her"; while I Fig. 5 shows a modified form of the'fievibe.

2 uum -brea'lei deviee iticljiflfi a "mm-lai eutiet. member =0? cesin'g 5, "the lower ena of which is, in "the usual plam iemg ih'sta-Ha-fion, eei'u'eeceefl ie a water Closet bowl er ofiher fixture mid the upper endeeim eete 'i t'oe fieshveivefer 'bfi 'tgdlli-ng the amount in? water passingoiahe blumbin'g fi'xture. The Weaker is interposed between the we-her -b l 'se% bew'l em'l flush valve "fbr 171i? purpose ef m-evene'ing eae'Ie ey hena' e of eomeminatel wee-e1- 'fmm e peesible clogeci water eloeet -iew 1 ime the eteb'ie weter suppiy line eeimee'eed be {she Hush valve; 0 whenever a-siib-'atfn0p'h uum hxi'siieii in file islipply "On by Teeson's wen-known. The veemm eieaker is usually le'e'atefi a1: a cerbe 'in Gistenee ebeve'the spi'n lirne of the-Weber cl'bet bee/ 1 em aireeel'y below the 'eut l'efl en ef the flush "valve;

The up er end of thee I'et tube S 'priivified with an ermine-r sfllbpbrtmg s' feefiaed therein teeefiher with e series e f eir ibia'fts or verfts 1 arranged firearm the wee immediately be'lew the flange ehd spaceq apart icy the 0613 n'ectifig pertione *8, A eeueiin'e nut e i-s we "vide'd fer seeueeay e'eeeehiee the uhi't, ee by 1% ernel ee rew threads r0, we we euuee 615 e fiusa verve; This nu-"she's e'fi 'ififii" enfiule flanged; ub'en which ehetu leefiehee s rests te s pp eutl'ei; tribe *5 and the otne'r e'lefirefie'sefehe-en'ie. An eweler de'pefidih 'ek'iet eemeh -12 1s xefieea integral with the nut i speeee Trim the outerwel'l's Ofbfi'tlet tube?) 5 'ind'ieatea-et =13 a 'manne'r 'tb ia'vi'hni the air pbflifi 7 and tect the same from the in'ser t'ibh bf "fie'i'gh bibjects tending to bbst'fuet the "perms 1 and interfe'rewith their ndrfhal filfli'lfibh; Theefiz'mier space 1'3 is of euffie'iem eize and area ee that the air ports fl me fully effective we meek 1min eenditiefi, as W111 be D'Uihted bfitr.

Arranged within'the bufle'fi tribe 3 and inneet ed rele tien therew'ifihis a. flexible '=anmi1eu sleeve velver'nem b M .prete'reblyef an eye-- the'fic pre'met Such as "neoprene" wh'ieh has certain wen khbwnst-ibefio'r qualities ever nature! rgbber when utilized for the present pureeses. Flexible sleeve Valve i l has thin "silewefils vet:- tgeen d ispesea and spaced apart s "htly the outlet "tube 5 and at its upper e116 ha's an annular eetwerdektefifi ing' 'su' perti'ng meme 3% whieh directly en 60p of "the eut1-et 'tube nee-s 'aS'be'st in Fig. '3. At "the i-ewei ene b'le sleeve I-Q' 1S b'ifiifided with @m pre eeting lip 61': flange IE5 nieiie 's'omewhfi thinner than the s de walls the s'ieeve to bi'bv iii-e greater flexibifi't and wesent lees veetr ietien be the free flow of water at that point. In order to prevent distortion of the flexible sleeve side walls when the coupling nut 9 is drawn up tight, a reinforcing ring I! is imbedded in the sleeve flange as shown. As indicated at l8, the flexible sleeve is is spaced apart from the side walls of outlet tube 5 so that the interior of the outlet tube below the vacuum breaker is normally exposed to atmosphericpressure, except when water flow takes place through the device.

Axially disposed in nested relation to the flexible sleeve [4 and outlet tube 5 is a metal cupshaped member [9 having a series of transverse openings in its side walls constituting water ports 20. These water ports are of somewhat larger size than the air ports 1 and are arranged substantially in alignment therewith. The flexible sleeve I4 is interposed between the cup member l9 and outlet tube 5 and its side walls are spaced approximately equal distance from both as shown. The cup member I9 is closed across its rounded bottom end 2| except for a small hole 22 in the bottom thereof, and the flexible lip l6 lightly engages the curved portion of the bottom 21 above the location of the opening 22.

In order to support the cup member 19 accurately within the outlet tube 5, there is provided a transverse annular flange portion 23 resting immediately on top of the flexible sleeve flange l 5 and within the coupling nut 9 as shown in Fig. 3. A shoulder 24 formed around the top end of the cup member [9 serves to accurately and rigidly hold the depending flexible sleeve l4 centralized and in proper spaced relationship with the cup member I 9 and the outlet tube 5. A packing ring 25 is preferably placed on top of the cup member flange 23 and the complete unit is attached to the outlet end of a flush valve, not shown, by the coupling nut 9 being threaded thereon. The flanges 6, I5, 23 and packing 25 are thereby clamped together in water tight engagement between the coupling nut flange II and the outlet end of the flush valve. The coupling nut 9 may be drawn up as tightly as desired without distorting the flexible sleeve l4 due to the reinforcing ring I1, and since the outer peripheral edges of all the flanges are of a size to closely fit into the inner circumference 26 of the coupling nut 9, there can be no lateral shifting of the cup member l9 and. flexible sleeve M with respect to the outlet tube 5. The complete device is therefore accurately maintained centralized at all times in the desired manner for uniform operation.

In the operation of the vacuum breaker when installed in association with a flush valve and water closet, the manual tripping of the flush valve handle result in a flow of water through the device as indicated in Fig. 2 by the arrows. The water passes into the inlet end 21 of the cup member 19 and out transversely through the four water ports 20, forcing the flexible sleeve I4 to expand its side walls into engagement with the walls of the outlet tube 5 and close off the annular space I8. This action likewise causes the flexible sleeve to seat on the air ports 1 and prevent leakage of water through these ports during the water flow. In case the water supply pressure is fairly high, the portion of the flexible sleeve walls closing off the air ports will effect a slight bulge through the air ports I to seal them tighter as shown. Splashing of water through the air ports is quickly prevented because the flexible sleeve is forced into engagement with the air ports immediately, due to the fact that the path of the water flow is transversely through the water ports 20 and at a point substantially in alignment with the air ports 1.

Water flow next passes into the space 28 between the cup l9 and flexible sleeve I4 and parallel therewith, bending and forcing the thin flexible lip l6 outward until it is substantially parallel to the side walls of the flexible sleeve l4 and the water flow. The end of thin lip it being normally lightly in contact with the cup member I!) only offers slight restriction to the free passage of the water. The bending or hinging action of lip I6 also enables a tighter seal to be applied between the bottom of the flexible sleeve l4 and the outlet tube 5 to further assist in preventing leakage from the air ports 7. The flexible sleeve I4 is made sufficiently elastic so that fairly low water pressure will be effective to expand the side walls and seal off the air ports and still not be bulged out of the air ports by high pressures to cause a bursting of the sleeve.

From the foregoing action of the device upon water flow therethrough, it will be evident that the flexible sleeve is shielded by the brass cup l9 from the full initial impact of the stream of water and therefore cannot be stretched or torn beyond its maximum elasticity, the cup acting to divert the stream transversely to the side walls of the sleeve I4 and outlet tube 5.

In the event that back pressures are built up in the outlet tube 5 either due to restrictions imposed by the type of Water closet bowl connected thereto, or to partial stoppage of the same, the flexible sleeve 14 is caused to bulge outward by pressure applied belowthe lip l6 and by the expansicn caused by the inlet flow, causing the air ports to be sealed off and preventing spurting and leakage therethrough.

Assume, now, for example, that a vacuum condition occurs within the inlet water supply line, due possibly to a sudden withdrawal of the water from the plumbing system caused by any number of conditions well known in the plumbing trade. Operation of a flush valve under such circumstances will usually result in the contaminated contents of a clogged water closet being sucked back as by syphonic action, into the pure water supply line. The present vacuum breaker prevents this undesirable action and in response to such a vacuum condition the side wall of the flexible sleeve [4 are immediately forced or bulged inward by atmospheric pressure passing through air ports 1, and in case the degree of vacuum present is great enough, the walls will seat upon the water ports 20 and bulge slightly into them, as shown at 30 in Fig. 3. This action effectively seals off the flow of water in the manner of a back-check and prevents reverse flow. At the same time that the flexible sleeve walls 14 are forced inward, the space l8 between the flexible sleeve and outlet tube is greatly enlarged, affording a wide opening for entry of atmospheric pressure through the air ports 1 to the space below the vacuum breaker to break the vacuum therein and thereby prevent any rise in the water level in the outlet tube. In addition to the flexible sleeve hugging the cup member IS on a vacuum condition, the thin lip 16 likewise closely embraces the bottom of the cup to act as a back-check, and in most instanceswhere a low degree of vacuum is encountered, this check is sufficient to prevent backsyphonage.

From the foregoing action of the flexible sleeve,

aocaaoe itwill be apparent that the sleeve cannot reverse itself upwardly upon the occurrencero! a-vacuum condition due to; the presence of the: brassicup member [9; Should itoccur that foreign objects lodge in: thewater ports 20 and 'hang'downward,

the thin lip It will wrapitself around the ob ject on a vacuum condition to preventback syphonaget The small opening 22: in: the bottom of cup member l9 serves-to provide a means ior gradually dissipating the vacuum condition in the supply line and yet is small enough so as not to cause a rise or water in the outlet tube 5- and cause back-syphonage. The opening 22 also sberves as a chain for the bottom of the cup meme In'the event of any defect in the flexible-sleeve, attention will be quickly brought to thesame by the leakage which. will occur from theair ports. The device is therefore self-policing and 'replacement or repair can be" quickly accomplished.

Referring now to the modification of'theinventiondisclosed in Fig; 5, the elements thereot are substantially thesame construction as those shown in Fig. l, with the exception that the brass cup member l-9 has a flat bottom portion 21 and two rows of water ports 20' to more evenly distribute the water pressure around the inside of the flexible sleeve walls. The flexible sleeve M is also provided with a thin lip al lightly engaging the flat bottom 21" of the brass cup, while the side walls of the sleeve are further ex* tended below the lip M as indicated by the skirt portion 32. Upon water flow through the device; the thin lip 3| is bent forward as shown by the dottedlinesand thisassists in bending thesk'irt 32 outward against the tube walls to further assist in preventing leakage out of the air ports 1. This modification otherwise operates the same as that'showninFig. 1.

Other applications and modifications of the invention are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, as'will'be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the embodiments herein disclosed are to be regarded as only illustrative of the invention and not restrictive, and the appendedrcl'aims are therefore to be construed broadly, except for such limitations as may be necessary in view of the prior art.

What is-claimed is:

1. In a vacuum breaker for a water supply system, a vertical tubular casing having air. port's around the sides thereof, a cup-shaped member inside said tubular casing having water ports around the sides thereof and being closed at its bottom end, a flexible sleevemember arrangedlbetween said tubular casing and said cup-shaped member adapted to close said air ports responsive to water flow and to close said water porters-sponsive to a. vacuum condition, said water ports and said air ports being disposed in-substantial'horizontal alignment whereby water flow is directed through said'w-ate'r ports transversely against the inside vertical wall of said flexible sleeve mem her to force the same outward directly against said aligned air ports to seal them against leal age, and whereby under vacuum conditions atmospheric pressure is directed through said air ports transversely against the outside wall of said-flexible sleeve member to force'the same inward directly against said aligned water ports to seal them against back syphonage. and an inwardly extending annular flange around the lower open end of said flexible sleeve member,

6,. her proiecting through said annular flange and contacting the sameata point- :hetween the bottom end of saidoup shapedz member and said water ports; and means 'for clamping-said tubular casing; said capeshapedamember and said sleeve member :togethersat one end.

2; In a vacuum breaker fora water supply sysa verticaitubular casing. having air ports around the sides thereof, acup-shapedmember nested. inside said tubular casing but spaced therefrom, said cup-shaped -:rnember havin water ports-around the sides thereof and being closed on the-bottom .end:,:a flexible sleeve mem ber nested-between said'tu-bular casing. and said cup-shapedmember and spaced from both, and means for-supporting saidf'tubular casing, said cup-shaped memberrand said sleeve member together at one end, and :aninwardly extending annular flange-around the lower open endof said fiexiblesleeve member, the closed bottom end of said-cup-shaped member protecting throughsaid annular flange .and'contacting the same at a point between the bo'ttol'n. end of said cup shaped member and-said waterports, said flexible sleeve member being movable towards said tubular casing to close said air ports responsive to water flow-and being movable towards said cup-shaped member to close said-water ports responsive to a vacuum condition, saidwater ports and said air ports being disposed in substantial horizontal alignment wherebywater flow is directed through said Water ports transversely against the inside vertical wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same outward directly against said aligned air ports to seal 'them against leakage, and whereby under vacuum conditionsatmospheric pressure is directed through said air ports transverselyagainstthe-outside wall of said flex ible sleeve member -to force the-same inward directly against saidaligned water ports to seal them againstbacksyphonage.

the-closed bottom endof said cup-shaped mem- "I5 3; Ina vacuumbrea'ker'device for installation in a water supply system, a vertically disposed tubularcasing having air ports arranged in the sides thereof, amp-shaped member arranged inside said tubular casinghavlng water ports arranged in the sides thereof and a closed bottom end, saidcup-shaped-member being spaced from said tubular casing, said air ports and water ports being disposed in substantial horizontal alignment, 2. flexible tubular sleeve member arranged between and "in spaced relationship to saidtubular casing and-said cup-shaped member, means for clamping both of said members togetherat one endoi said tubular casing, said flexible member arranged to close said air ports responsive to water fiowthrough said device, said water flow-"being directed transversely against the inside vertical wall of said "flexible sleeve member to force the same outward directly against saidaligned airports to seal them against leakage, and to close said water portsresponsive to a vacuum condition insaid-device, whereby atmosp-heric pressure is directed transversely againstthe outside-wall of said flexible sleeve membcr toforce the same inward-directly against said aligned water ports to seal them against back syphonage, and an inwardly extending an nular fia-nge-aroundthe loweropen end 01' said flexible sleeve member, the closed bottom end of :said cup-shaped member projecting through said annular flange and contacting the sameat a point between 'thebottom-end of said cupshaped memberand said water ports.

4. In a vacuum-breakerdevice for'installation in a water supply system, a vertical tubular casing having air ports in the sides thereof, a rigid cup-shaped member having water ports in the sides thereof arranged in substantial horizontal alignment and directly opposite the air ports and being closed at the bottom end thereof, a flexible sleeve member interposed between said tubular casing and said cup-shaped member and spaced therefrom, means for clamping all of said members together at one of their ends, the opposite end of said flexible sleeve member having a lip portion thereon extending inward into engage ment with said cup-shaped. member at a point below said water ports and above the bottom end the "cor, said flexible sleeve member being operated as a valve responsive to water flow through said device to close said air ports, said water flow being directed transversely against the inside vertical wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same outward directly against said aligned air ports to seal them against leakage, and responsive to a relatively high vacuum condition to close said water ports whereby atmospheric pressure is directed transversely against the outside wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same inward directly against said aligned water ports to seal them against back syphonage, the lip portion of said flexible sleeve being effective to prevent back syphonage when a relatively low vacuum condition is present and said water ports are not closed by said flexible sleeve.

5. In a vacuum breaker device for installation in a water supply system, a vertical tubular casing having air ports in the sides thereof, a rigid cup-shaped member having water ports in the sides thereof arranged opposite the air ports and being closed at the bottom end thereof, a flexible sleeve member interposed between said tubular casing and said cup-shaped member and spaced therefrom, means for clamping all of said memhere together at one of their ends, the opposite end of said flexible sleeve member having a flange thereon extending inward toward said cupshaped member at a point below said water ports and above the bottom end thereof, said flexible sleeve member being operated as a valve responsive to water flow through said device to close said air ports and responsive to a vacuum condition to close said water ports, said water ports and said air ports being disposed in substantial horizontal alignment whereby water flow is directed through said water ports transversely against the inside vertical wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same outward directly against said aligned air ports to seal them against leakage, and whereby under vacuum conditions atmospheric pressure is directed through said air ports transversely against the outside wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same inward directly against said aligned water ports to seal them against back syphonage.

6. In a vacuum breaker device for installation in a water supply system, a vertical tubular casing having air ports in the sides thereof, a cupshaped member having water ports in the sides thereof and being closed on the bottom end thereof, said water and air ports being arranged horizontally and in substantial :aligmnent, a flex ible sleeve member interposed in spaced relation between said tubular casing and said cup-shaped member, coupling means for clamping all three of said members together at one end, and a flange formed on the opposite end of said flexible sleeve member extending into contact with said cupshaped member at a point between the bottom end of said cup-shaped member and said water ports, said flange being thinner than the wall thickness of said flexible sleeve member, said flexible sleeve member being operative as a valve responsive to water flow into said device through said water ports said water flow being directed transversely against the inside vertical wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same outward directly against said aligned air ports to seal them against leakage, and responsive to a vacuum condition in said device whereby atmospheric pressure is directed transversely against the outside wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same inward directly against said aligned water ports to seal them against back syphonage, said flange being moved out of contact with said cup-shaped member by the water flow.

7. In a vacuum breaker device for installation in a, water supply system, a tubular casing having air ports in the sides thereof, a cup-shaped member having water ports in the sides thereof and being closed on the bottom end thereof, said water and air ports being in substantial alignment, a flexible sleeve member arranged between said tubular casing and said cup-shaped member and normally out of contact with said air and water ports, means for clamping said members together at one end, a flange on the other end of said flexible sleeve member in contact with said cup-shaped member at a point between the bottom end of said cup-shaped member and said water ports, said flexible sleeve member operative as a valve to close said air ports responsive to water flow through water ports and responsive to a vacuum condition to close said water ports and prevent back flow through said device, said' cup-shaped member having an orifice in the bottom thereof to dissipate said vacuum condition.

8. In a Vacuum breaker for a water supply system, a vertically disposed tubular casing having air ports in the sides thereof, a rigid cupshaped member arranged inside said tubular casing having water ports in the sides thereof and having a closed bottom extending substantially across said tubular casing, said air ports and said water ports being in substantial horizontal alignment, a flexible sleeve member arranged between and in spaced relationship to said tubular casing and said cup-shaped member, means for clamping said tubular casing, said cup shaped member and said flexible sleeve member together at their upper ends, the lower end of said flexible sleeve being open and having an inwardly extending annular flange around said opening, the closed bottom end of said cup-shaped member protruding through said flexible sleeve member opening and in contact with the edge of said annular flange whereby the passage through said tubular casing is normally closed, said flexible member operative to close said air ports responsive to water flow through said tubular casing to close said water ports responsive to a vacuum condition therein, said water flow being directed transversely against the inside vertical wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same outward directly against said aligned air ports to seal them against leakage, and whereby atmospheric pressure is directed transversely against the outside Wall of said flexible sleeve member to force the same inward directly against said aligned water ports to seal them against back syphonage, said annular flange being moved away from said cup-shaped member by the flow of water and more tightly embracing said member upon occurrence of a vacuum condition.

9. The structure of claim 8 characterized by the annular flange alone being efiective to prevent back syphonage on low vacuum conditions in case the water ports are not closed by said flexible sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Bourdil June 12, 1888 Glass Apr. '7, 1931 Safi'ord Nov. 9, 1937 Sabin Sept. 5, 1939 Langdon Jan. 20, 1942 Langdon Aug. 14, 1945 

